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Credit Counseling
Thank you for choosing Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency’s (ACDCA) credit counseling session. Please take a few moments to read over the following information.
A new bankruptcy law went into effect on October 17, 2005. The law requires consumers seeking bankruptcy protection to participate in credit and budget counseling before a bankruptcy can be filed. Congress added this provision to the law to ensure that consumers understand all of their options, and that they have the necessary knowledge and tools to develop a sound financial plan for their future.
ACDCA is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an agency’s services. The United States Trustee and United States Bankruptcy Administrators have reviewed only the credit counseling provided by Allen Credit and Debt Counseling and its services as a provider of a personal financial management instructional course pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 111(d)). The United States Trustee and United States Bankruptcy Administrators have neither reviewed nor approved any other services the agency provides to clients.
Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency does not pay or receive any funding from any other agency or entity. Funding for Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency comes from the fees ACDCA charges its clients.
The completion of this credit counseling session will not negatively impact your credit rating. However your credit report or score may be negatively impacted by filing bankruptcy or choosing an alternative to bankruptcy that results in you making less than the contractual payments to your creditors. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy will negatively impact your score for up to 10 years while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will negatively impact your score for up to seven years. Such alternatives may include, but are not limited too, debt management, debt settlement, making partial payments of the amount due, or non-payment.
You have the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt under terms as set forth in 11 U.S.C 502(k). We do not provide this service. We may refer you to another approved agency that provides this service. You may incur additional fees in connection with such a referral.
ACDCA offers credit counseling services in-person, via telephone or on-line. In-person is available in English only and online and telephone in English or Spanish. For any other language requests, please click on the following link for a list of approved agencies and the languages they offer:
Allen Credit and and Debt Counseling is approved to provide services in North Carolina and Alabama. Bankruptcy Administrators approve pre-bankruptcy credit counseling organizations and pre-discharge debtor education course providers. Please click on the following link for a list of approved agencies in Alabama and North Carolina:
Please note our certified credit counselors are not able to offer you legal advice. Your counseling session will last approximately 60 minutes and will help you develop a picture of your current financial situation, give you the knowledge you need to determine what should be your next step, and answer any questions you may have. We are here to empower you to take control of your own financial situation. We are not responsible for any final decisions that you choose to make. Please know that the advice that we give you is only as good as the information you give us.
Your counseling session consists of two parts:
- For online counseling, part A is the informational session. In this section, you will review written information and input your own financial information to assist you in determining your current financial status as well as help you analyze your current budget. Part B is a follow-up session with a certified credit counselor.
- For telephonic counseling, part A consist of a pre-recorded information session and part B includes a follow-up counseling session with a live certified credit counselor.
- For in-person, we are available for counseling services during normal business hours, 8am-5pm CST, to schedule an appointment please call 888-415-8173. At your appointment a certified credit counselor will walk you through the online information session for part A and part V includes a follow-up counseling session.
Your counseling will not be complete until you have finished both parts. You will only receive a certificate with successful completion of all parts of the instructional course.
It is ACDCA’s obligation to provide a certificate to the client promptly upon completion of counseling services. Please note that the certificate is only valid for 180 days from the date of completion. If your certificate expires before it is used, you will be required to register, pay, and complete your course again. Your course information will be available on-line for 2 years after completion. Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency is not responsible for ensuring your attorney has received your certificate(s). Confirmation that your attorney has received your certificate(s) is your responsibility. Certificates may be re-sent via email, fax, or mail upon request.
All financial information that you give us will remain confidential and private within the confines of the law. We might disclose client information to the United States Trustee or the United States Bankruptcy Administrators in connection with their oversight of Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.
Our certified credit counselors maintain valid teaching certificates and/or have degrees in counseling, business, and accounting. Our credit counselors are required to maintain certification through Credit Counselor Certification Incorporation, American Credit Counselors Certification, Inc. or Foundation for Credit Counselor Education. Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency does not give any commissions or bonuses to their teachers/counselors based on the outcome of the counseling services you receive from the agency. In addition, Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency does not pay or receive fees or other consideration for the referral of clients.
Clients can access our services online at
www.acdcas.com, by phone at 888-415-8173, or in person at 800 Dakota Ave. N Huron, SD 57350. Please contact us to schedule an in person counseling session.
You may be eligible for a fee waiver or reduced course fee. Please read the following information:
On-line, the fee for our Pre-Filing Credit Counseling services is $25.00 for single or joint filers. Phone or in person, the fee for our counseling services is $30.00 for single or joint filers. Both filers are required to sign up for the course together to receive the joint filing fee. If joint filers take the course separately, an additional fee will be charged for the additional course. Upon successful completion of the counseling session, a certificate of completion will be issued. This certificate will meet the requirements of the Bankruptcy Prevention and Consumer Protection Act.
*** Effective June 1st, 2024, prices will increase to $25 online sessions and $30 for phone sessions.
Should you have any questions regarding reduced fees, or feel you are owed a refund or credit from your attorney as a result, please consult your attorney.
Payment Options
Debit Card |
Money Order |
Fee Waiver
Any client may request a waiver of the counseling fee. Approval of the waiver is based, in part, on the criteria listed below. A decision will be made on a case by case basis and the class may be available for free, not based on a client’s ability to pay. Allen Credit & Debt Counseling Agency’s Fee Waiver Policy is as follows:
Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency provides services without regard to a clients ability to pay. You may be eligible for a fee waiver upon written verification of your household income. A client presumptively lacks the ability to pay the fee if the client’s household current income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), as adjusted from time to time, for a household or family of the size involved in the fee determination.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia
Persons in Family/Household
Poverty Guideline
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,380 for each additional person.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
Persons in Family/Household
Poverty Guideline
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $6,730 for each additional person.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
Persons in Family/Household
Poverty Guideline
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $6,190 for each additional person.
In order to determine further eligibility for a fee waiver or reduction, please provide copies of the following documentation:
- a copy of your most current paystub or award letter;
- a copy of your most current bank statement;
- how many people are currently living in your household;
- and a brief narrative of your financial situation; and last,
- complete contact information, including your phone number and email address.
If you are unable to send proof of any of the requested information, please detail the reason for this in your narrative.
The information may be sent:
- by faxing to 605-610-4059;
- by mailing to Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency - 800 Dakota Ave. N Huron, SD 57350; or
- by emailing to support@acdcas.com.
Approval for a waiver of the counseling fees must be applied for and received before the course is started. Refunds will not be given after the fact.
Please note: Approval for a waiver of the counseling fee expires 30 days from the date you were notified. If the course has not been started within 30 days of receiving fee waiver approval notification, you must resubmit your documentation for fee waiver approval.
For questions, please call toll-free: 1-888-415-8173.